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Friday, September 28, 2012

Pence Park, Hiking in Kittridge Colorado -- Where does this trail go?

Pence Park is not a well known park within the Denver Mountain Park System, but it connects to the Bear Creek Trail and is often used by mountain bikers now that the trail system connects from Pence Park to Lair O' The Bear, approximately 12 miles, the trail continues through Corwina Park as well, making it a shorter hike/bike if desired. I arrived at the park back in July when I first hiked this trail with Magnolia, the parking lot was empty and we went the opposite direction of the Lair O' The Bear Trail, it took us up into the woods and the trail was quite steep. At one point it became so very steep that I decided it wasn't the safest idea carrying Magnolia on the front of me in the Ergo, so we turned around, went back to the parking lot and hiked down the Lair O' The Bear trail (another post on that hike to come). I decided to go back to Pence Park with my husband because I just needed to know where the trail went! Getting there: First, let me say that I've noticed google maps shows the Pence Park entrance on the south side of the park. Maybe there is an access there, but I reached the parking lot on the S. Meyers Ranch Road side. This is the most accurate address to put into google maps; S. Meyers Gulch Rd at Paramalee Gulch Road, Evergreen Colorado or click here. Specs: There is a large parking lot and a port-o-pot and trail map with sign.

The Hike: Josh, Magnolia and I came back to the trail one evening, I had packed our dinner and Josh hurried home after work, we jumped into the car and left. It took about a half an hour from our house to reach the trailhead, and then another several minutes to get Magnolia, the dogs and gear situated. Josh carried Magnolia in our pack and we started walking, we reached the steep section where I had turned around, which proved to be quite steep even without a heavy baby, then the trail opened up and we were able to see some views beyond. We noticed a great field perfect for sitting and eating dinner, but we walked on to see what was around the next corner. It was a steep descent, so we decided to go back to the field, eat dinner, then hike down. After dinner, we went back and started to climb down, it was very steep, even for me without a baby and pack, and we decided that maybe we shouldn't go down, this late in the evening, on an unknown trail. So, here I am, tried to hike twice on this trail and both times turned around due to difficult terrain with a baby. I wish I knew where the trail went, and will have to go back, sometime. We hiked back down the trail and to the parking lot, then we decided to hike on the trail that continues beside the road and in an open field. We noticed two deer eating, at sunset, in the field, and we hiked down to them and let Magnolia watch them for several minutes before turning around and heading back to the car. We left at 8pm and drove home to put the baby to bed. She was tired out from all the 'hiking' she did. Here are some photos of the hike...

Steep incline in the first 1/2 mile of the trail.

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Looking down, it doesn't look that steep in this photo, but it is!

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After the steep incline, the trail levels out a little bit and provides you with views.

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Views and the meadow we ate our dinner in.

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More views

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Looking West

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Josh and Magnolia at Sunset using our Eddie Bauer hiking pack.

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Magnolia and I after dinner.

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This is where the hike stopped for us, it was super steep and late in the evening, so we turned around and hiked back to the parking lot, then out into the meadow trail, which is to the right of the trail sign.

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The trail heads down the mountain and then turns toward the left. I am not sure where it goes beyond what you can see from the road.

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The deer in the field

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Skinny deer right?

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Very pretty doe, but very skinny.

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Have you hiked Pence Park before? Do you know where the trail continues to, or how far it is, or any details, please post.

You can join my mailing list here for emails when I add a new hike (2-3 times per month at most), and you can find my photography for sale here to commemorate your hike.

4 comments:

My friend & I hike with our babies (born Feb & April 2012) in our ergos often. One day we decided to check out this trail & had the same experience! It was too steep to be safe. Maybe one day we will learn where it goes...

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About Me

Welcome, I am
Jennifer a new mother to
Magnolia and wife to my husband Joshua - Hiking, camping and photography are some of my favorite things to do; I also enjoy blogging, gardening, and
spending time outside enjoying nature. Check out more information about me and about my nature photo prints or photography sessions for all occasions!